Mongolia calls for urgent action to end tuberculosis and ensure sustainable domestic financing

On World TB Day, the World Health Organization (WHO), in close collaboration with the Government of Mongolia, calls for urgent, accelerated action to end tuberculosis (TB) – one of the country’s most persistent public health challenges.

TB remains a leading cause of illness and death in Mongolia, with treatment coverage still unacceptably low and transmission continuing in communities. Ending TB is achievable, but only if it is treated as an urgent national priority, supported by strong political leadership, adequate investment and decisive multisectoral action.

WHO met with the Minister of Health, Member of Parliament Dr J. Chinburen, on 24 March 2026, World Tuberculosis Day to discuss national priorities for ending TB. Credit: WHO / Mongolia

This urgency is further underscored by the need to prepare for a transition to sustainable domestic financing, as external donor support for the TB programme is expected to decline and may end within the next three years. Without timely planning, this transition could put hard won gains at risk. WHO therefore emphasizes the importance of developing a clear, costed TB transition and sustainability plan, aligned with national health financing reforms, to ensure continuity of services and protection of vulnerable populations.

This message was reinforced during a national World TB Day press conference held in Ulaanbaatar, with the participation of Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the WHO Department of HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections and Dr Escalante Socorro, WHO Representative to Mongolia. WHO emphasized that delayed action costs lives, and that countries which move early – by strengthening domestic financing, expanding early detection, improving treatment outcomes, and addressing social barriers – are better positioned to end TB sustainably.

“Ending TB is achievable and we commend the Minister and the health workforce for taking the bold shift to optimize and fully utilize the entire health system to prevent TB, improve case detection, ensure effective treatment, and promote community health. Historically, TB services in Mongolia have been concentrated within TB dispensaries. While this model was effective in the past, it is no longer sufficient in today’s context of rising TB incidence, increasing drug resistance, and persistent social and economic inequities. TB must be addressed across the whole health system, particularly at the primary health care level, and in close collaboration with communities,” Dr Escalante said.

Aiming to End TB: from commitment to action

On 24 March, the “Aim to End TB” national campaign was officially launched in Mongolia, led by the Ministry of Health with support from WHO and partners. The campaign calls for clear targets, aligned policies, accountability and coordinated national action to accelerate progress towards ending TB.

Mongolia launched the #AimToEndTB campaign, inspired by the Sur Kharvaa archery tradition, to drive focused, united action toward ending TB—with clear targets, precision, and teamwork across all sectors. 

The campaign draws inspiration from Sur Kharvaa, Mongolia’s traditional archery practice, symbolizing focus, precision, discipline and unity. Just as an archer must clearly define a target and align every movement to hit it, Mongolia must align policies, resources and actions – including sustainable financing decisions – to achieve its End TB goals. 

Leadership for impact and sustainability

As part of her mission, Dr Kasaeva met with H.E. Dr Jigjidsuren Chinburen, Minister of Health of Mongolia and Member of Parliament, to reaffirm WHO’s strong partnership with the Government in the fight against TB. WHO acknowledged the Ministry’s leadership and emphasized that ending TB requires sustained political commitment, increased domestic investment, and effective multisectoral collaboration, particularly in light of the anticipated reduction in external funding.

WHO highlighted the importance of early transition planning, including integrating TB services into broader health financing mechanisms, strengthening primary health care delivery, and protecting TB patients from catastrophic health costs.

On 23 March, an opening event on Active Case Finding among the Bayanzurkh District population was held at the Mongolia–Japan Hospital, attended by the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Nomin Ganbaatar, Dr Kasaeva and Dr Socorro Escalante. The event marked the launch of intensified community-based TB screening, aimed at detecting TB earlier, reducing transmission and improving access to timely treatment.

An opening event at Mongolia–Japan Hospital launched active case finding in Bayanzurkh District, boosting early TB detection and access to services. WHO and partners are supporting community‑centred approaches to reduce transmission and save lives. Credit: WHO / Mongolia

New global tools to close TB diagnostic gaps

During the press conference, WHO highlighted new global TB diagnostic recommendations, which offer major opportunities to expand access to testing and care in Mongolia:

• Near point-of-care molecular tests, enabling faster diagnosis closer to communities
• Tongue swab testing, expanding access for people unable to produce sputum
• Sputum pooling strategies, reducing diagnostic costs and improving efficiency in resource constrained settings

These innovations can help improve efficiency and value for money – an essential consideration as Mongolia prepares for a future with greater reliance on domestic resources for TB programme.

People-centred action: youth, schools and social protection

World TB Day activities also highlighted the importance of people-centred and multisectoral approaches. A Youth Event on 24 March placed young people at the centre of TB advocacy through theatre, discussion, and dialogue, demonstrating the power of youth leadership in building stigma free TB responses.

Youth took the lead in the TB response through a powerful theatre performance and panel discussion, bringing real-life experiences of stigma and discrimination to the stage. Credit: WHO / Mongolia

In meetings with Members of Parliament, discussions focused on enhancing social protection for TB survivors, including disability benefits, employment support and protection from catastrophic health costs – key elements of a sustainable TB response.

Programme reviews supporting accelerated and sustainable action

In parallel with World TB Day activities, joint TB and HIV/programme reviews are being conducted to support Mongolia’s efforts to strengthen its national response and inform future investment decisions. The reviews involve 17 international experts, including specialists from WHO Headquarters, the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, WHO Collaborating Centres, and independent consultants, working closely with the Ministry of Health and national Technical Working Groups.

Mongolia conducted the in‑country TB & HIV/STI programme review, with experts meeting stakeholders nationwide to assess progress and shape priority actions for stronger prevention, detection and treatment.  Credit: WHO / Mongolia

The reviews aim to generate concrete, prioritized and actionable recommendations to improve TB prevention, case detection, treatment outcomes, drug resistant TB control, community engagement and financial sustainability, feeding directly into national planning and transition discussions.

About WHO

The World Health Organization is committed to supporting Mongolia in achieving its national health priorities and global commitments, including the goal of ending TB by 2030, through evidence based policies, strong partnerships, and people centred action.

For more information please contact Dr Shalala Ahmadova at ahmadovasha@who.int